engine seizure - front cover plug

[stickybones]

A few weeks ago I posted about my problems with my car dying on me and not being able to restart. A few guys suggested I check to see if the engine seized. Sure enough, it had. I had the car sent to Ron's Custom auto for Paul and Jack Merkel to take a look to see what caused the engine to seize with no warnings. Well, the diagnosis is in. There is this set screw that sits on the top of my BGC aftermarket front cover (to replace the stock cover when the timing chain was done 2 years ago). Apparently it plugs a threaded hole for use with another type of cam sensor cap. Well, over the 2 years time, unbeknownst to me, this screw was working its way loose until three weeks ago it finally came free and fell into the front cover. It got caught in the chain and gears. It broke the chain and a few gear teeth and fractured the bottom of the front cover sending all the pieces into the oil pan. (Kinda explains why I didn't see any external damage.) A valve got bent in the process. Nonetheless, the motor was torn down for inspection for further damage. Now I'm looking at a minor rebuild because of that stupid plug.

Anyone ever heard of this happening before? I sent a message to John at BGC (now called Southern Kustoms and Racing) to see if there is any liability on the manufactures part. If nothing else, maybe anyone with this style cover should check theirs to make sure that plug is loctited in place.

Man I'm pissed now. It's not like I had a few grand to throw away on what was otherwise a perfectly fine running motor a few weeks ago.

 

[Donald Smith]

Sorry to hear about your motor.There r hundreds of covers out there with this threaded plug.Most guys lock the plug in with lktight.At least i hope so.I will bet after reading about your motor there will be alot of people Checking for that plug. I just picked up a motor from Jack so i talk from Experience.Ask them to make sure they check the preload on the lifters.My engine was way out with to much preload!I stopped measuring at 120 ! And then ask him again and again and again! to check the preload.. I found this out on my own just before i was ready to install the intake. On a positive note.....This machine shop was a pleasure to deal with. Jack was up front with the prices. When i picked up the motor everything cost exactly as quoted. Some other shops always seem to have those extra unexspected cost. When i called him about the preload he had shorter pushrods overnighted out. And now all is good!